Common store-bought festive candles may seem boring compared to homemade ones. A truly unique option is to make a candle with an orange! This handmade object is perfect for parties and adds a bit of atmosphere to the next evening with friends, illuminating your home and using too many oranges. This project is simple to make, inexpensive and suitable for anyone who has manual skills with knives for decorations.
Steps
Step 1. Cut the orange on the cutting board
Use the peeling knife to cut the orange peel. Insert as much blade as necessary to cut the peel, rotating the knife in the center of the orange, along the entire circumference.
Step 2. Peel the orange
Gently stick your finger under the orange peel and gently remove it so that it detaches from the fruit without breaking.
Step 3. Locate the "wick"
Once separated from the fruit, the peel of the orange should be easily removed. As you remove the pulp of the orange, there should remain a “stem” similar to a wick: leave it intact, attached to the peel.
Step 4. Add oil
Pour in olive oil (approximately 3 tsp) to cover the stem and soak the wick for 2-3 minutes.
Step 5. Create a decoration
This decoration will be both cute and functional, as it will allow the candle to breathe. Create the decorative pattern on paper beforehand, to try to avoid mistakes when carving the peel. Then, take the top half of the orange and carve the decorative pattern you made earlier on it, using a peeling knife.
Step 6. Light the candle
Light the stem of the orange with a lighter. This may take a couple of tries. It will be easier if you use long barbecue matches, in case the use of the lighter is too complicated.
Step 7. Place the top half (with the carved decoration on it) on top of the bottom half with the wick
Thus the candle will be complete.
Step 8. Have fun
Advice
- Make sure the orange to use is large enough.
- Make sure the knife blade is larger than the skin (about 20-25cm in length).
Warnings
- Make sure the flame doesn't touch the top of the orange so it doesn't burn. If this happens, enlarge the hole.
- Be careful using a peeling knife. Try not to cut yourself.
- Never leave burning candles unattended.
- Be careful while using the lighter to light the candle.